Blue October's Justin Furstenfeld Says He's In a Different Place Now

When Blue October reconvened and began the writing process for Sway, there was one rule: "Not one song could be about how hard Justin's got it."

An homage to his wife, the album's debut single, "Bleed Out," is written from her perspective. All the lyrics about taking everything but still wanting more are about the vocalist being selfish. He says that he couldn't move forward without recognizing the wrongs he had done to loved ones and making amends.

Brimming with positivity, Sway still feels like Blue October, but it's somehow completely different. Listeners will hear a stark contrast between the first two songs on the album, as the opening track was written while the band was on the Any Man tour, while "Sway" showcases how far they've come since then. Besides a bright outlook, this album is also unique in that Furstenfeld invited his bandmates into the creative process like never before.

"I got to see what it was like letting the band in," Furstenfeld says of the songwriting. "I was so controlling over all these works of art I had done before that I never let the band in."

But Sway isn't without Furstenfeld's signature grit. "Hard Candy" is a tongue-in-cheek rock ballad that sounds like a '90s-era radio single during the verses before becoming atmospheric during the choruses. And in "Light You Up," he speaks to his addiction and depression directly, as if they were former lovers or friends with whom he's cutting ties.

"I never knew that this was possible, that life actually existed like this (sober) and that I could enjoy it," Furstenfeld says. "But you have to be proactive about life. You can't just sit there and expect things to happen for you. Really take a hard, hard look at yourself and recognize if something you might be doing isn't really healthy.

"I still take meds for depression," he continues. "I still have my bouts with all that stuff, but today I can handle it. Now I can say, 'You know what, depression? You're not going to ruin my day. I'm going to be proactive about this.'"

Notwithstanding his newfound happiness and sobriety, Furstenfeld hasn't forgotten about his fans who might still be a dark place.

"The light at the end of the tunnel is now. You've gone far enough to get there. You've just got to enjoy every moment of your life, because it's short," he says. "And they're going to take it away from you one day... Why not enjoy it now?"

Blue October will be performing an acoustic in-store performance tonight at Barnes and Noble in the Woodlands Mall tonight at 7 p.m.

@BobbyFreshpants@Natureboy Name the lyric that sucks. Every Blue October lyric is written from direct personal experience of agony or an approaching hope.

In all of your claims you failed to provide any proof of why you THINK they suck. Which of course, dismisses anything else you say...anyway, you judge on one song? Check out "X Amount of Words" and tell me where the so called bad lyrics are...or even in "Hate Me"...or "The Feel Again" or "The End" or "Follow Through" or "The Answer"...God, it goes on and on...that's cuz Blue October does not write bad lyrics...damn, if you were the world's critic that people had to please, then there would be no music on the planet.

I would hate to see what's on your IPOD...Miley Cyrus, One Direction, Backstreet Boys, etc. etc.

Actually, Blue October's music, lyrics, song structure and even prosody is equaled by no one else.

Name one and then show me examples.You can't.i'll bet you had an ex that liked Blue October...so you feel OBLIGATED to hate them.

Blue October, one of the last true rock bands on earth...future legends with the ULTIMATE staying power to adapt to any era without ever compromising their SUBSTANCE.

@BobbyFreshpants@fairchildryan2@Natureboy Bobby, "No one has even heard of this band outside of the USA", really?? That's why they are huge in Germany. Last time I checked, Germany was not part of the USA.

@Jef Withonef I'm a huge fan of both bands. But a little known fact for your day: Back in 2009, Blue October was opening for Train at the Bite of Las Vegas festival. Train had to cancel at the last minute. The radio station sponsoring the event consulted with Blue on what to do. Blue heard that a Vegas band called Imagine Dragons recently won the battle of the bands the station put on prior. SO, Dan Reynolds got his little band together and ended up opening for Blue October, even coming in to help out with a song if my memory serves me well. Either way, both bands ended up meeting and Justin gave some great advice to a band that is now PLATINUM. If anything, Dan has used Blue October's albums and success to further their career - and more power to them. I love both bands and enjoy everything their doing for the music industry.

@foolio I don't normally comment on these things but I just wanted to say that I feel sorry for you. It's actually really sad that you are not able to see his beauty and the amazing talent that he has been given. A rocky life - yes, dark lyrics - yes but incredibly talented - yes. If you feel their music is week and are not a fan why did you bother reading the article and commenting? Seems like you wasted your own time so one last question who's the dbag now? Just saying...